Kikujiro

Departing from his previous, highly successful voilence-and-gangster films, we see that 'Beat' Takeshi has lost none of his technical brilliance and his ability to surprise and delight with this heart-warming, eccentric and, at times, hilarious journey through modern Japan of the 9 year old Masao 'protected' by the overgrown delinquent Kikurijo. An untapped capacity for responsibility and compassion emerges in the man as self discovery infuses their poignant relationship and bittersweet journey towards maturity.